The Executioner

place holder -—— this whole entry needs to be expanded -——

Abyssal executioner appears, prolonged dual with lunar, eventually the part drops him and his minions. They march on to a long battle across the Scavenger lands with a bandit king. During the night, after an engagement, meteorites drop, containing messages from Ahlat, the Southern god of war and cattle.

tomb diving, and 3 years pass....

place holder -—— need to do dates -——

Upon their return to Haven, circle gets a message from a man named Little Foot who leads them to the tomb(s) of their previous incarnations, at the behest of their Eclipse caste. They find soldiers claiming to be troops of Barrow Black that guard the entrance to the Tomb of 5 Corners. The hallways also have scorch marks from many eldritch blasts mar the walls. During a scouting mission to investigate, Shrui ‘khan however was cut down by a bunch of mortals with shortswords. The Masses have a way of toppling the mightest of towers (expecially after they have their defenses wasted by flurries).

Each of the Solar’s has their own personal tomb, linked to this central area via warpgates. Each of the tombs were in different areas of the world, hence the former circle’s name “The Circle of 5 Corners”. Each tomb has hints about their former selves, including artifacts pertaining to their exaltations. All four of our current members are required to get into the 5th tomb, in hopes of finding their Eclipse. They finally find her, in a maze of a mansion, only she has been completely corrupted, and is now a Deathknight for Mask of Winters. There is also a Simulacrum that is controlled by the Deathlord himself. The Deathknight is socially destroyed by the whole party, with Fawn and Mun-ja playing pivotal roles in this demoralization. The Deathknight escapes from the tomb with her life, vowing vengeance.

They then proceded to admin jump 3 years ahead, to work on “large scale” things. Such as, manse repair in Crossroads and trying to stimulate the economy.

A group of refugees, all various types of beastman came looking for sactuary, and settled in Crossroads under the leadership of Sprig. Some of them volunteer to fight for the Solar‘s Cause, and avenge their fallen. The refugee’s claim their land was devasted by what appears to be a spell similiar to a Solar Level Sorcery spell.

The Manses get repaired by Kaiza Turrin and Mun-ja, the town has more than 10 inhabitants now, and is self-sufficient with food.

Mun-ja hires approximately 650 well-equipped mercenaries, and Fawn manages to win them over with her superior logic, and the glory of the Unconquered Sun. Bruce and Mun-ja develop and re-discover ancient Solar training charms and techniques; the circle utilized these to improve their own skills, as well as that of their soldiers (both the converted mercenaries and beastmen) as well as that of the local farmers. Mun-ja also purchases skilled crafting slaves to work in his craft workshops.

Mun-ja and Shrui ’khan uses the skilled crafting slaves that Munja bought as a breeding program to start breeding Half-Caste offspring.

one problem creates another

20th Day of Descending Wood, Realm Year 768

The group gets to Celeren, under the “care” of Zara Swiftsteed at sword and lance point of her guards. Zara bears another icon that the prophet shows them, a red rose on her armor, it is her family crest. She gives them a wary release to explore the town while they await the current leader of the Marukan to return from a yet ANOTHER hunting trip. He seems to take them often, even while his nation stares down the throat of an undead invasion force, lead by a Death Knight.

The circle catches up with Shek, whom they meet in the trading area of Celeren, and inform him of all of their adventures, and discover what they missed with him. He had barely gotten out of Haven, and made his way here. Without them around, his life is pretty uneventful, and mundane as the life of a trader can be.

While wandering around town, the circle overhears the screams of men and women in pain near the barracks, and they wander over to investigate. As they get closer, they are drawn inwards towards a supernatural force, that they believe to be another circle mate. Upon entering the building, they see a foreigner, definitely a priest of some kind from the far East, tending to the Marukan wounded. She is soothing them with kind hearted words, while the air is palpable with her Solar essence usage. After applying a balm to a soldier, she turns around, and has a bright Zenith caste mark upon her brow, and the group immediately recognize her as one of theirs. Oddly enough, she bears the Exaltation of the Solar they had found naught but a day prior. Fawn introduces herself, and tells them of her journey, agreeing that, it must be the will of the Unconquered Sun that circumstances have brought them together. The Circle re-gifts the Exalted with her prior Exaltations belonging, and they magically resize to fit the lithe female, changing sizes from that of the stoat stocky dark man that wore them previously. Upon donning her collar, her haggered traveler’s look disappears and she appears quite immaculate.

Kyurtin, the leader of the Marukan Alliance has returned from his hunting trip. Kyurtin invites the Circle into his personal chambers for a feast, and reveals to them the truth about his hunting trips. That they are really a means to try to find the fabled Rock Ram, and he often has prophetic dreams about getting the ram, and turning the tide of the war. He dons a hat that mimics another image by the prophet in Haven, and asks them to accompany him on his next hunt, leaving the following morning. The group begrudgingly agrees.

20th Day of Descending Wood, Realm Year 768

The entire hunting party rides off into the woods, which happen to be wyld-tainted, and not too far from Celeren. Due to the ability of Kittah-rah to navigate in the wyld, and the tracking skills of Fawn, the party is able to finally find the fabled Rock Ram guarding a flock of sheep. The group chases down the Ram, with little success, mainly because Kittah-rah has forgotten her chief ability of speed. Finally, Bruce is able to wrestle the Ram to the ground, while some of Kyurtin‘s men bind it, and heft it to Kyurtin’s steed. When leaving the pasture, an elderly gentleman steps from the woods, and accuses them of thievery, demanding the return of the Rock Ram; Kyretan defiantly refuses, offers compensation, and insults the man. The man leaves vowing vengeance. A Circuit Rider comes up to the forest edge at full gallop as the party departs the confusing woods, bearing a message for Kyurtin that INSERTNAME OF ABYSSAL ‘s army has became the attack on Celeren, and Zara Swiftsteed leads the defense of the capital.

The entire crew approaches the city, they can see the defense forces clashing with the invading horde, and to their flank, threatening to cut them off in a pincer attack, and go straight for the walls, is an intervention force, moving rapidly towards the gates. The group ride to cut this attack off. Mun-ja opening the fight with a volley of Death of Obsidian Butterflies, and disables the transportation snakes, maiming the attacking forces. Kyretan’s men discover that the tears the Ram is spewing are actually golden, yet another image from the prophet, and they do massive amounts of damage to the undead, as well as heal the super-natural plague affecting the Circle. Shrui ‘khan and Bruce concentrate on the shock troops attempting to set up siege ladders out of spine chains, as well their accompanying zombies. Mun-ja works to take down the invisible war ghosts that are assaulting people while incorporeal. Kittah-rah wades into the masses, and is almost brought low by another gaggle of zombies, having not yet learned her lesson. Fawn, still not full aware of her Exalted prowess, moves to defend Kyurtin and his men from the advancing attack, keeping the lines of undead at a safe distance from the Marukan’s leader. This counter-attack cuts the motion out of the assault, and the Ram’s tears turn the tide of the battle in favor of the Marukan troops. Who send the undead running back to their camp. The entire crew goes back inside of Celeren‘s walls, to nurse the wounded, and develop a strategy for the future.

21th Day of Descending Wood, Realm Year 768

The Circle comes to the conclusion, that through parlay, they might be able to convince INSERTNAME OF DEATHKNIGHTHERE to withdraw his troops. They wary advance upon his camp under a banner of truce, and make their way through the ichor strewn region towards his headquarters area. Through sly words, and verbose, grand bragging, Mun-ja and Fawn are able to point at the recent defeat, and convince him through Solar social charm use, that he stands absolutely no chance.

Meanwhile, Bruce and Shrui ’khan notice that there is an enchanted book on INSERTNAME OF DEATHKNIGHTHERE ’s desk. They overcome the enchantment and make an attempt to steal it, using Shrui ’khan’s stealth and thievery abilities. Once they get back to Celeren they realize that the book is actually a detailed journal, including DEATHKNIGHTNAME ‘s plans to use Celeren as a launching point, having diverted Lookshy’s gaze. Once Celeren is in his grasp, he plans to move on to Lookshy! They dispatch a Marukan circuit rider with the news to Lookshy

The Circle argues with Kyurtin about getting their end of the deal, taking the cure to the plague, back to Haven. Kittah-rah tries several different violent means of stealing the Ram, and as it cried out, blooded from talons, and such, a large Emerald Bull bursts over the wall of Celeren, and tries to get the Ram back. The group, recognizes the threat, and gives the Ram over to the Emerald Bull, whom they follow back into the Wyld-tainted woods….

Upon reading the woods, they see the old Shepard there, smiling ear-to-ear. Apparently he did get his revenge. The Rock Ram is returned to him, and by his proxy, to the apparent leader of this local council of spirits, Lady Goldmaine. She informs the circle that she quite pleased, and doesn’t understand why the humans are upset. What was hers was taken, so, any price paid was correct. She also tells them that the plague on Haven was completely and utterly her doing. She was slighted by Haven‘s god, Anjos thousands of years ago, and decided that a good way to strike one back, was to kill all of his worshipers in a terribly painful outbreak. [:lady-goldmaine | Lady Goldmaine]] agrees to give the Circle the cure, if they can prove themselves worthy, and understanding of the ways of nature.

The group undergoes a series of trials to show them the truth of nature, and that the circle of life is highly important. She then gives them a portal cure for the plague, as well as an extra supply of the Rock Ram’s tears, and bids them farewell.

The Circle returns to Celeren to deal with Kyurtin, and his annoyance, once and for all. They convince Zara Swiftsteed that she would make a much better leader for the Marukan, and offer their backing, and support. Zara had just been waiting for someone to say the word… she and her troops march in to the main hall, and demand Kyurtin’s surrender. He begrudgingly agrees to this turn of events. And Zara bids the Circle farewell, as she has many provisions to make, preparations, and training, even though the immediate threat is gone, the over-bearing threat of invasion from Thorns still looms, and word has not yet reached Lookshy. Having gained a new ally, the Circle heads back to Haven.

Upon reaching Haven, they find another healer, the former crazed man from the road-side faking miracles. Apparently Thericite, in the intervening time, has Exalted as a Chosen of Luna, and can cause illusions that mimic healing. He tries to denounce our heroes, but they will have none of that! The circle deposes him, and runs him down as he flees, killing him. Awards granted by the council of elders of Haven, and free passage, and friendship are granted to our Circle. They decide to head back to Crossroads, to attend to their newly acquired township.

20th Day of Descending Wood, Realm Year 768

Fawn had traveled for weeks at this point, drudging her way westward from her homeland, in search of needy people to help. She felt that she could not properly serve her people as a priestess, without having seen the world, and utilized her youth while she still retained it. So her pilgrimage had taken her westward so far. Her feet grew weary as she saw Celeren on the horizon, with a column of smoke near it, and felt something drawing her there, that she would meet destiny, and her help would be needed. She buckled down, and headed that way.

In the late morning, she came across two wounded Marukan outriders, whose steeds were dead, but, their injuries wouldn’t allow them to make the trip back to their garrison in Celeren; Fawn decides that she will personally deliver them back to their unit, and proceeds to make drag litters, and transport the two of them simultaneous back towards Celeren. The going is rough, and physically exhausting, eventually, Fawn is on the verge of collapsing and takes a break, determined to help these two soldiers. When slumps over to rest herself, she is visited by the Unconquered Sun personally. The Unconquered Sun explains to her, that she has been chosen to bear an exaltation of one his priests and champions; he also explains that wants her to set the record straight about his glory, and bring the power of his light to all the people of Creation. He grants her the power of a Solar of the Zenith caste, and tells her that her path will soon become obvious.

Fawn came to, and finished the rest of her journey in one long leg, with renewed vigor and strength of sinew. The power instilled in her shows through her constantly, and her caste mark is always visible upon her brow. Despite this, when she arrived in Celeren, and offered her help to tend to the wounded, she is quite welcomed, although she wasn’t there for long.

I just need 5 minutes... WHAT DO YOU WANT?!

17th Day of Descending Wood, Realm Year 768

Things always get in the way…. such as zombies on the road.

As the group travels towards Haven, which is Bruce‘s home town, they see a Solar’s essence flaring further down the road, like a bonfire on a pitch black night. They rush towards a beleaguered fellow Exalted, only to have the righteous pyre doused and the pitch returned to the night sky.

When the group finally arrives at the scene, they come across the still warm corpse of a former Lawgivers clad in heavy orichalcum plate and whose hands still grasp his dire lance in his death grip. While the party takes in the scene, gawking at the pile of re-dead zombies that surround this downed warrior, they recognize a kindred soul has departed… only in time to have the corpse be re-animated by a very angry ghost, who uses the stout form to deal some damage to the Circle. However, lacking the full power of a Solar, it is quickly dispatched.

The Circle then decides to pile all of the corpses in the center of the road, and burn the bodies. Mun-ja and Bruce rapidly proceed to douse the bodies with water to start the process, while Shrui ‘khan looks for a means to start a fire. While Mun-ja and Bruce continue to pour more water onto the mass, they become upset that the fire isn’t start. Upon Shrui ‘khan’s return, he makes viscous fun of the pair (for months, and years to come) and starts a fire using flint and steel. Then, the entire group remembers that the Solar had on artifact equipment, and fishes it out of the fire, coals, and ashes… to ‘keep it safe’ for the next incarnation. They then leave the smoldering mess on the road.

18th Day of Descending Wood, Realm Year 768

The Circle arrives at Haven, and finds that is wracked by a terrible plague. The Circle meets with the Elders, and is escorted to a local prophet. The prophet gives them many signs to point them in the right direction, the first of which points them towards Celeren.

The group encounters a quarantine road block on the road, set up by paid local thugs. Rather than try to talk to them, the group quickly draws weapons, and much blood is spilled.

On the road to the Marukan capital of Celeren, the group is forced to pass through a charred town, still smoldering bears evidence of an attack, however, no bodies are to be found. As the Circle investigates what happened, they are ambushed by a small horde of zombies and spine chains, obviously left behind as a rear-guard, in hopes of gaining more recruits to the undead army. A tense battle ensues, and the Lunar, kKittah-rah is brought low by the crust-ridden nails of a group of zombies, after taking the form of a yeddim, and dispatching several of her foes.

As the group finishes mopping up the remnants of their attackers, and properly burning the bodies, as Shrui ’khan teaches the party the proper mechanics of fire…. they limp around the town dragging the bodies to the pyre, as Marukan out-riders charge the group, led by Zara Swiftsteed. After some terse negotiations, Shrui ’khan demands that she agree to exactly what she already offered, threatening her with a smoldering spine chain…

The circle is led to Celeren by Zara and her personal guards as they return after days of scouting. Awkward conversations are made, and Kittah-rah tries to get information from a disgruntled, homesick soldier. While Mun-ja goes to speak to Zara Swiftsteed. Who spills intel, informing the Circle of the predicament that the entire Marukan Alliance finds themselves in, Celeren looking it in the eyes, and with Lookshy turning their gaze away, all hope seems lost.

so you won't be lonely...

15th day of Descending Wood, Realm Year 768

Mun-ja and Shrui ‘khan come across a vender in the markets of Kirighast that is hawking trinkets for sale, and as he calls out what he’s selling, he lists the castes of the Solar Exalted as they are known in Heaven/Yu-Shan. He congratulates Mun-ja on the ‘recent births’ in his family, he offers him a trinket, and a note. The two Solar’s take the note and its auspicious warnings to heart.

==-=-=INSERTNOTE==-=-=

Realm Year 768, 22nd day of Descending Wood.

The two Solar‘s tell Shekto not bring mercenaries, as they want to use him as a sort ’bait’. They tale him from a slight distance off of the road and behind his caravan.

A god named Ahmoon Sighla materalized on the back of Mun-ja‘s yeddim, and pleaded for his aid. He asked the group to aid him in restoring his town, Crossroads back to its former glory, or at least to start it on back on the right track. He also notes that currently his faith is being diverted, so he is afraid of being pulled into obscurity. They divert their route from Celeren east towards Crossroads, and inform Shek that they will meet him at Celeren.

24th day of Descending Wood, Realm Year 768

As the pair reach eyesite of the pass that marks Crossroads, the group stops, and Shrui ’khan advances alone to scout ahead. While he is gone, Bruce catches up to Mun-ja, whom he was super-naturally drawn towards. He makes a request to Mun-ja to help his town of Haven, which is in dire need of Exalted healers.Bruce then agrees to join the circle. while the two are “discussing” the situation with their weapons drawn on each other, Kittah-rah lands, in the form of an imposing, and aggressive Stryx, shrieking down from the sky with a war cry, and prostrates herself to the Solar’s and bows herself to their service. Kaiza Turrin is the source that is drawing worship away. He is an Earth-Aspected Dragon-Blooded, and is routing the traffic away through bandit raids on the surrounding roadways of the region. Kaiza Turrin is ambushed by the circle and socially beat into submission, and agrees to work for the Solars, and to wait for their return.

and the road stretches on...

Mun-ja is attacked by bandits alongside of Shek. Mun-ja swiftly defeats them, and finds a manse on the 17th day of Ascending Wood. He attunes to the manse, and goes a local town named Treant in which he recruits some local farm boys to guard his manse, with the promise of payment, sustenance, and that they will return home in time for the harvest. For almost a month Mun-ja stays with them, until the 17th day of Resplendent Wood, when his hearthstone is completely formed. He then takes his purchased yeddim, and attempts to catch back up with Shek, now nearly a month ahead.

1st day of Descending Wood, Realm Year 768

Shrui ‘khan takes his Second Breath in Kirighast while out-running the local guards after a botched robbery attempt. He manages to escape into the nearby mountains, where he runs across a manse of his own. It appears to be an Abyssal aspected manse, with a trophy rack containing artifacts from defeated former Lawgivers. Approximately 2 weeks later, he notices a yeddim caravan heading in to Kirighast. Seeing this as a lucky break, given his new powers and equipment, he decides to strike at the unguarded trader.

15th day of Descending Wood, Realm Year 768

Shrui ’khan makes an assault on the lone trader. Luckily, sShrui ’khan’s first attack was not fatal, and the beleaguered trader gets off a singular shot from his flame piece, missing wildly. However, this shot doesn’t go un-noticed. as Mun-ja is still trying to catch up with his trader friend, Shek. He races to the scene in time to catch Shrui ’khan with an arrow to his raised hand, pinning him to a nearby rock before his next strike against Shek. After some, “Aggressive Negotiations” the two come to the conclusion that they were former circle-mates, and decide to join forces. Which, comes in handy as Guild troops meet Shek outside of the gates of Kirighast to escort him, and his new “friends” into town, and to his awaiting trading stall.

Realm year 768, 22nd day of Descending Wood

Shrui ‘khan’s new hearthstone is complete. The three decide it’s about time to move on.

lots of bumps on that there road!

Mun-ja travels East with a guild trader, named Shek and his yeddim caravan. Shek is headed North and East of Goord, his eventual destination and turn around point is in the Scavenger Lands. Mun-ja is searching for hints and tips that might lead him to his history, his circle, artifacts, sorcery, manses, and power.

The caravan is promptly attacked by poorly hidden bandits. One of the mongrels tries to run away, but injuries himself along the way, and Mun-ja catches up to him, demanding to know who the bandits work for. He follows him to his local fort, which is meekly guarded by former thieves and bandits. An angry ghost is riding a corpse of a former local bandit of some reknown, and s promptly put down by Mun-ja. Mun-ja quickly realizes that the fort is actually an ancient Solar outpost manse. He also discovers a small stash of Solar (orichalcum) weapons.

Mun-ja proceeded to a small farming town, Treant hired some youths, to help guard his Manse, he got his Hearthstone and purchased a yeddim for a fair price from that same farming village, then took off as fast as his mount would carry him to catch up with Shek just outside of the town of Kirighast